Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2001 19:32:51 -0600 (MDT)
Subject: Re: Hoipefully Seeking Sublime


Some of my personal experience of the sublime:

-Wordsworth's "Ode to Immortality"

-looking into the bright eyes of my 3-week old son, sensing who he may be and
knowing he recognizes me


> To:  All
> 
> Preamble:
> 
> A case could be made that Internet Fora get heaviest traffic from persons of
> very strong personal interests, who often present them
> on their own sites.
> 
> Or that academics who are least busy have most time for chat.
> 
> Or that those who can name the most subjects and the largest number of
> authors can't resist the impulse.
> 
> Or that quoting what a white male, dead for 100 years, said about
> a white male, dead for 200 years, is what list members are dying to hear -
> remembering that being dead differs from not-being.
> 
> Let's move in the direction of the sublime.via personal experience.
> 
> Three short verses .....
> 
>             I.
> 
> A stick, a stone
> It's the end of the road
> It's feeling alone
> It's the weight of your load
> 
>             II.
> 
> Love is rare
> Life is strange
> Nothing lasts
> People change
> 
>        III
> 
> The years, like great black oxen tread the Earth
> And God the herdsman goads them on behind
> And I am broken by their passing feet.
> ~~~~~~
> 
> For me, each verse has significant resonance, the last being, in some
> degree, sublime.
> 
> Other instances,
> 
> A certain painting of Rembrandt.
> 
> Michelangelo's Pieta
> 
> The Winged Victory of Samothrace
> 
> Chartres Cathedral
> 
> Vanessa Redgrave in "Orpheus Descending"
> 
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> 
> You all must/may have similar extra-ordinary experiences and your own
> concept of what is sublime.
> 
> Don't misinterpret these examples of  art as being the only examples of  a
> quest for, and appreciation of, sublime feelings.
> 
> On request, I will elaborate/reciprocate on a personal basis.
> 
> A possible outcome:  We might or might not agree to post such interpersonal
> results on the List.
> 
> Best,
> Hugh